The New Zealand Net (NZ Net) is an 80-metre CW net operating every Monday-Friday evening.
All CW stations are invited to check into the net on 3535.0 kHz, starting at 2100 (9pm) NZT.
Purposes of the net
- To encourage CW operation in New Zealand
- To provide training and experience in CW net operation
- To provide training and experience in CW message handling
How the net works
You do not have to have traffic for the net, or even be experienced in traffic handling, in order to check into the net. All check-ins are welcome, even just to say hello and exchange signal reports.
The net runs at around 20 wpm, but will slow down if necessary to match your speed.
The net is brief (less than 15 minutes if no traffic). Longer chats occur after the net has closed.
Traffic, if any, is normally exchanged on the net frequency (a good opportunity for all stations to practise copying).
CW nets use quite a few abbreviations and Q Codes, but we’ll try to stick to the most important ones. If you don’t understand something, just send “?” and we will spell it out in plain language.
Here’s an example of how a typical net would proceed.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me for further information, to join the email list, or to be rostered as a Net Control Station.
– Neil ZL1NZ
Resources
NZ Net flier (you can print this and distribute it at radio club meetings, hamfests, etc.)
A4 size PDF file opens in a new browser tab
NZ Net Guide for Newcomers (follow along on a typical net)
NZ Net News Archive (read our fortnightly newsletter)
NZ Net Audio Archive (hear traffic, trivia questions, monthly reports, entire net sessions, and more)
Q Signals for Amateur Radio, Including Nets [PDF]
Radiogram Forms (you can download and print these)
Further reading
vkcw.net (a huge resource for CW operators interested in nets and traffic handling)
ARRL National Traffic System (NTS) Manual
How to handle a “book” of messages
1987: A look at 3rd party traffic and North American traffic nets
Thanks to Lou VK5EEE, founder of vkcw.net, who has provided many of the ideas implemented on the NZ Net.